Hadar Amir1, Yumna Tibi, Asnat Groutz, Ami Amit, Foad Azem. 1. Sara Racine IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel. amirha@bgumail.bgu.ac.il
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the gender preference of Muslim Israeli-Arab women regarding obstetricians/gynecologists, and identify other features that affect their choice. METHODS: The study included 167 responders to an anonymous questionnaire. RESULTS: Around one-half of the responders had no gender preference regarding family physicians, but most (76.6%) preferred a female gynecologist. Likewise, most responders preferred pelvic examinations (85.6%) and pregnancy follow-up (77.8%) by female gynecologists. Additionally, 61.7% preferred consulting female physicians for major obstetrical and gynecological (OB/GYN) problems. The reasons for female preference were embarrassment (67.7%), feeling comfortable with female gynecologists (80.8%) and the notion that female gynecologists are more gentle (68.3%). The three most important factors which affected actual selection, however, were experience (83.8%), knowledge (70.1%) and ability (50.3%), rather than physician gender (29.3%). Multivariate analysis revealed that other qualities and importance of background variables of the gynecologist were independent predictors of gender preference. CONCLUSIONS: Although Muslim Arab-Israeli women express gender bias regarding their preference for gynecologists/obstetricians, personal and professional skills are considered to be more important factors when it comes to actually making a choice. PRACTICE IMPLICATION: We suggest that the ideal obstetrician/gynecologist for these women would be female, though skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced male would be appropriate.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the gender preference of Muslim Israeli-Arab women regarding obstetricians/gynecologists, and identify other features that affect their choice. METHODS: The study included 167 responders to an anonymous questionnaire. RESULTS: Around one-half of the responders had no gender preference regarding family physicians, but most (76.6%) preferred a female gynecologist. Likewise, most responders preferred pelvic examinations (85.6%) and pregnancy follow-up (77.8%) by female gynecologists. Additionally, 61.7% preferred consulting female physicians for major obstetrical and gynecological (OB/GYN) problems. The reasons for female preference were embarrassment (67.7%), feeling comfortable with female gynecologists (80.8%) and the notion that female gynecologists are more gentle (68.3%). The three most important factors which affected actual selection, however, were experience (83.8%), knowledge (70.1%) and ability (50.3%), rather than physician gender (29.3%). Multivariate analysis revealed that other qualities and importance of background variables of the gynecologist were independent predictors of gender preference. CONCLUSIONS: Although Muslim Arab-Israeli women express gender bias regarding their preference for gynecologists/obstetricians, personal and professional skills are considered to be more important factors when it comes to actually making a choice. PRACTICE IMPLICATION: We suggest that the ideal obstetrician/gynecologist for these women would be female, though skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced male would be appropriate.
Authors: Ahmed Hussein Subki; Abdullah Khaled Agabawi; Muhab Mohammed Hindi; Nadeem Shafique Butt; Mohammed Saad Alsallum; Rawan Ali Alghamdi; Siham Hussein Subki; Fahad Alsallum; Abdulaziz Ahmed Alharbi; Yousif Ibrahim Lodhi; Sultan Alandijani; Faten Al-Zaben; Harold G Koenig; Ayman M Oraif Journal: Int J Womens Health Date: 2021-10-11
Authors: Layla M Alkhaldi; Abeer I Alsulaimani; Wahaj A Altalhi; Ghaida M Alghamdi; Noura N Alqurashi; Tamer M Abdelrahman Journal: Cureus Date: 2022-08-14